Opening the last episode, the Jōnin Squad and Chunin Squad had already disbanded, with only dozens of Anbu remaining near the Hokage Building, awaiting the Hokage's orders.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood on top of the half-destroyed building, silently looking at the mess his old friend had left behind.
Whatever unpleasantness had occurred between the two of them in the past, it all became insignificant the moment Danzo died and his existence vanished.
The Third Hokage, known as the 'Ninja Hero,' stood for a long time, a rare trace of melancholy appearing on his face.
But he was already a qualified politician and quickly composed himself, arranging for two Advisors to handle the aftermath.
Calming the Ninja Clans' emotions, blocking relevant news, repairing damaged buildings, covering up and shifting blame, dealing with the Daimyo's inquiries... there were many things to do, and even as the Hokage, he could only mourn for a short while.
The hem of the Hokage's robe disappeared around the corner, signaling the official end of the incident.
[Hiruzen probably never expected Danzo to die in such a way, being judged.]
[Everyone seemed so normal when they were young...]
[You choose your own path, and you must bear the consequences.]
[I have only three 'no's for Danzo: no support, no understanding, no sympathy.]
Soothing and melodious piano music flowed like a babbling brook, presenting a panorama of Konoha's people after the civil war.
The Inuzuka Clan Head returned home with his granddaughter, only to be fiercely scolded by his daughter, raising his hands in surrender;
The Hyūga Clan Head sat upright in the living room, instructing two identical-looking young people on something;
The Ino–Shika–Chō trio gathered to drink tea and play chess, chatting about everything under the sun, showing no signs of sadness over the death of an Advisor;
Kushina returned home, hugging Kana and jumping with joy, telling her some earth-shattering good news, after which Kana cried profusely in shock;
Jiraiya and Might Duy were making a commotion in the Hospital, and Tsunade gave each of them a monstrous punch, ordering them to shut up and be quiet;
The Uchiha children excitedly and gesticulatingly described to their parents how they were rescued, their eyes shining with adoration;
Mikoto wept tears of joy, pulling out that outfit from the bottom of the closet, preparing to take it to the Hospital at dawn for its owner;
Finally, Kakashi sat by the Hospital bed, just like Naraku once did, praying that an important person would not leave him... [The Inuzuka family is quite funny, hahaha]
[I feel like the Ninja Clans are starting to lose trust in the Hokage.]
[Be confident, remove the words 'I feel like'.]
[Uncle Dai can finally stop feeling guilty, and Kana's light has returned, wuwuwuwu.]
[From now on, a story will always be told among the Uchiha children.]
[Mikoto's child has another older brother!]
[Stop tormenting Kakashi, please give the kakashi pairing some sweetness, please, please.]
The music fell silent, and the sky brightened.
The morning light streamed through the window, filling the entire room. Kakashi groggily lifted his head, finding that Naraku still hadn't woken up, and the sadness seemed to overflow from the screen.
Kana walked into the ward, handed him the fried rice she had made herself, and gestured for him to eat something.
A few seconds of flashbacks inserted, showing Kana looking bewildered as she learned from Kushina that Kakashi had been under a genjutsu, which explained his abnormal behavior back then.
She decided to believe it—after all, it was obvious to anyone that the news of Naraku's sacrifice had almost taken half of Kakashi's life; he couldn't possibly be lying about this.
For the first time since their last meeting, Kana apologized to Kakashi, but he said, "I should be the one saying sorry."
"Naraku was so important to you, and I lost him."
[My ship is alive, but not completely alive (sobbing).]
[Don't let me find out who is tormenting our kakashi, or I will never let him go! (furious)]
[The fried rice Kana was fed by Sakumo in the Hospital was also golden.]
[Wuwuwuwu, I'm completely in tears... Kakashi, please don't blame yourself like this...]
[On my star-crossed ship, they love each other but torment each other.]
Kana asked Kakashi if he would explain the genjutsu, but he evasively took a bite of rice, saying he didn't know.
He was afraid that even if he told the truth, Naraku wouldn't reconcile with him;
He was also afraid that Naraku, that simpleton, would believe such an incredible reason and forgive him too easily.
-- Was I completely innocent in that matter?
-- Pushing everything onto genjutsu, saying it was someone else's conspiracy...
-- Would I then be justified in happily reconciling with Naraku?
Kana saw through what Kakashi was thinking and, exasperated by this fool, snatched away the bento box and rice spoon—after he had finished eating, of course.
[Kakashi, you big fool! At least let Naraku know that you never blamed him! Wuwuwuwu!]
[One can only say that Kakashi understands Naraku too well. He knows Naraku always thinks of others and is always being wronged. Kakashi himself doesn't want to forgive himself, so he is even more unwilling to let Naraku forgive him easily.]
[But Naraku never blamed Kakashi... he's almost driven himself crazy...]
[I beg you, your mouths are for talking, ahhhhh! (frantic)]
[Kana: Eat, eat, eat! All you know is eating! (a little outburst of anger)]
[Good job, big sister! Hit harder, wake this fool up!]
—
Naraku felt guilty, Naraku scratched his head, Naraku rubbed his face with both hands, not daring to open his eyes... He decided to wake up again today, to properly coax Kakashi, and try not to torment him in the future.
Naraku: For the ones who suffer, the audience is enough (merciless).
—
The camera focused on the still unconscious Naraku, getting closer and closer until his trembling eyelashes were clearly visible on the screen.
Then the screen suddenly began to play many fragmented memories, like Naraku's nightmares.
Below a bottomless cliff, the river water was cold, turbulent, and endless;
In the dark, damp forest, a figure suddenly darted past, seemingly chasing, or perhaps fleeing;
Blinding white light shone from above, a needle pierced the skin, and a mysterious liquid was injected into the blood vessels;
An unseen person struggled violently from the pain, blood filled the table, sliding down the edges... The chaotic images abruptly stopped.
Naraku woke up.
He opened his eyes blankly and unintentionally wiggled his fingers.
Kakashi, who was staring blankly out the window, suddenly felt a touch and looked up to see Naraku with his eyes open.
[What the hell is this?]
[What exactly did Naraku go through, wuwuwuwu...]
[Yeah, how did Naraku survive back then?]
[What does this even mean, pursuit? Escape? Human Experimentation? Torture?]
[The Old Thief, explain yourself, ahhhhhhh!]
[Is it a dream or a memory?!]
[I can't tell, I really can't tell.]
Only when Kakashi asked where he hurt did Naraku realize that the other person was actually beside him.
He instinctively shook his head, denying all the pain he felt, and was even a little disbelieving of everything before him.
He just stared blankly, almost cautiously, at the other person, afraid it was a dream.
Because in his memory, the two of them hadn't been this close for a long time.
Kakashi hadn't spoken to him for a long time either.
-- This must be a dream... otherwise...
-- Kakashi... why would he come...?
[Naraku never admits he's in pain.]
[It's killing me... my heart feels a little uncomfortable...]
[He'd rather believe it's a dream than believe he's seeing Kakashi.]
[I'm going crazy... I'm really going crazy!]
[Wuwuwuwu! I must have done countless evil deeds in my past life! That's why God made me ship kakashi in this life!]
Kakashi's mind was blank; all those worries and anxieties he had earlier were gone, and he spoke many incoherent words.
Apologies, promises, explanations... all poured out in a rush.
As he spoke, he gradually regained his composure and anxiously pleaded for Naraku's forgiveness.
"Let's make up, okay?"
Kakashi waited for Naraku to judge him, but received a few broken, timid responses.
"Kaka...shi..."
"Have you... forgiven... me...?"
"I'm sorry..."
[Ahhhhhhh, Baby Naraku, what are you saying!]
[Naraku never thought Kakashi was wrong; he just felt that Kakashi was willing to forgive him (crying profusely).]
[How can we break that curse, ahhhhhh o(╥﹏╥)o]
[Kakashi, quickly say you love him! Say it!]
Kakashi now knew the taste of a broken heart.
He held this shattered soul, shedding tears, and told the other person again and again with conviction that it wasn't his fault.
But Naraku didn't answer; he just instinctively leaned into him, comforted him, silently stared at the ceiling, his eyes hollow and blurry.
-- Why is Kakashi crying...?
-- Is it me... have I done something wrong again?
-- I made Kakashi sad...
-- I really am... not worthy of forgiveness... The Naraku in the scene fell unconscious again, and the last episode of the anime came to an end.
[I came to watch anime, not to suffer!]
[Kakashi finally knows what Naraku has become.]
[Naraku is completely broken... He can't even correctly understand Kakashi's expressions... TAT]
[Actually, Naraku understands what Kakashi means, but he stubbornly believes it's his own fault.]
[I'm about to cry myself to death... Who did kakashi offend, wuwuwuwu.]
—